Key Takeaways:
- Police are appealing for help from the public and urging everyone to stay safe on New Year’s Eve, with a strong presence in major cities and popular holiday spots.
- There have been incidents of violence and disorderly behavior in some areas, and police are warning that reckless and anti-social behavior will not be tolerated.
- St John ambulance crews are bracing for their busiest night of the year, with increasing violence and aggression towards staff a major concern.
- Weather conditions are expected to be wet and windy in some areas, with several events and celebrations cancelled or postponed due to safety concerns.
- The public is being urged to look out for each other and report any concerns, with a focus on keeping the night safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Introduction to New Year’s Eve Celebrations
New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for police and emergency services, with large crowds gathering in cities and towns across the country to celebrate the start of a new year. In Auckland, huge crowds are expected to gather in the central city to watch the fireworks display, which will feature 3500 fireworks launched from the Sky Tower. Police are urging everyone to stay safe and responsible, with a strong presence in the city and surrounding areas to respond to any incidents.
Police Presence and Safety Concerns
Police are taking a zero-tolerance approach to reckless and anti-social behavior, with a strong presence in major cities and popular holiday spots. In Gisborne, the Eagle helicopter has been deployed to provide aerial support and rapid responses to any incidents. Police are also warning that watching unlawful street racing is not only dangerous, but also encourages those involved to continue the behavior. In Hawke’s Bay, police will have a strong presence in traditional holiday hotspots, including beaches, and will be targeting unsafe drivers and setting up checkpoints to breath test drivers.
Incidents of Violence and Disorderly Behavior
Despite the warnings and increased police presence, there have been incidents of violence and disorderly behavior in some areas. In South Auckland, police were called to reports of several people fighting in the suburb of Wiri, and there have been other incidents of violence and aggression reported in other areas. Police are urging everyone to stay safe and responsible, and to report any concerns to the authorities.
St John Ambulance Crews
St John ambulance crews are bracing for their busiest night of the year, with increasing violence and aggression towards staff a major concern. The organization is urging people to look out for each other and to report any concerns, and is reminding everyone that violence and aggression towards emergency services staff is never acceptable. Last New Year’s Eve, St John responded to 570 incidents between the hours of 10pm and 6am, and demand for ambulance services is expected to be high again this year.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions are expected to be wet and windy in some areas, with several events and celebrations cancelled or postponed due to safety concerns. In Tauranga, the council has cancelled community celebrations in several areas due to forecast bad weather, and the Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne has been affected by heavy rain. MetService is warning of a moderate thunderstorm risk for large areas of the North Island, with heavy rain and strong gusts of up to 80km/h expected.
Cancellation of Events
Several events and celebrations have been cancelled or postponed due to safety concerns, including the community celebrations in Tauranga and the festivities in Te Marae o Hine – The Square in Palmerston North. The Tauranga City Council is still hoping to set off fireworks at 9:30pm and midnight if the weather is good enough, and the Rhythm and Vines festival is continuing despite the wet conditions.
Public Urged to Stay Safe
The public is being urged to look out for each other and report any concerns, with a focus on keeping the night safe and enjoyable for everyone. The Walk Without Fear Trust, established after the death of MMA fighter Liufau Vake, is urging people to look after each other and to de-escalate any situations that may become heated. Police and emergency services are also urging everyone to stay safe and responsible, and to report any concerns to the authorities.